“Secret Santa” Gives Out $100 Bills to Hurricane Sandy Victims in Staten Island and New Jersey

Christmas came a little early this year for some Hurricane Sandy victims in Staten Island and New Jersey thanks to a "Secret Santa" that has been going around giving out his own money to those who need it more. Dressed in a red pullover and a Kangol cap with the word "Elf" embroidered on the back, this real-life St. Nick surprised shoppers at local thrift stores by giving them $100 bills to help them get back on their feet. “It’s about the random acts of kindness," the mystery man told the Associated Press. "I’m just setting an example, and if 10 percent of the people who see me emulate what I’m doing, anybody can be a Secret Santa!”

The “Secret Santa” declined to give his name or show his face but the Daily News reports that he is a wealthy Missouri businessman from Kansas City. Including the $100 bills, which were stamped with the words “Secret Santa”, that he handed out to Hurricane Sandy victims in New York and New Jersey today, he says he will be giving away a total of $100,000 this holiday season.

Some of Sandy Santa’s benefactors seemed incredulous that he was just handing them free money. “No, you can’t be!” was the reaction of Olivia Bazille of Elizabeth, NJ when Secret Santa offered her the cash. “Oh gosh, I feel like I just got a million dollars,” she said. Others, like Elsa Hernandez, also of Elizabeth, NJ, were moved to tears by the kind gesture.

As you might have imagined, Sandy Santa was carrying quite a bit of legal tender on him today so he traveled with a pretty serious security entourage which included NY and NJ cops as well as FBI agents. We hope that this selfless Samaritan has a wonderful east coast stay and gets everything he asked for on his own holiday wishlist.